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CrossCurrent are an instrumental and vocal group based in the North East of England. Members of the band originate from England, Ireland and the Scottish Borders. They formed their musical friendship at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne where they are soon to become the first graduates of the new degree in folk and traditional music.
CrossCurrent have performed at various major festivals and venues throughout the U.K. and Europe and are all accomplished teachers of traditional music. The band will be at many festivals this summer promoting their debut album due to be released June 2005. Whilst rooted in their own individual styles, it is the innovative crossing of their traditions that makes CrossCurrent such a musically diverse band.
Damien O’Kane from Co. Derry in Northern Ireland plays tenor banjo, guitar and sings. His debut album ‘Pure Chance’ with piano accordionist, Shona Kipling received great acclaim from magazines such as fROOTS. Damien will be playing on a future album with Julian Sutton (Kathryn Tickell Band) and is the Assistant Director to Kathryn Tickell of Folkestra North.
Rachael McShane, sings and plays ‘cello and fiddle and is also an Irish step dancer. She is a member of recently formed band Bellowhead, the John Spiers and Jon Boden big band, who recently recorded their first CD ‘e.p.onymous.’ She is a regular tutor on the Tender Roots Project, working with young musicians in Yorkshire.
David Wood is a guitarist, bouzouki player and singer from Derbyshire. In 2001, David was invited to play at the film premiere of the Lord of the Rings and has performed alongside Catriona MacDonald, Claire Mann and Brian Conway as well as recording and touring with Tom McConville and Bill Jones.
Shona Mooney, originally from the Scottish Borders grew up playing fiddle and viola with her parents. She is a key member of the Borders Young Fiddles, who released their debut album in July 2004. Shona is an experienced teacher and works with the Selkirk traditional music centre and for Folkworks.
Lillias Kinsman-Blake, also from the Scottish Borders began playing flute and fiddle within the Small Hall Band. She has developed her own distinctive style of playing traditional music on the silver flute and is a seasoned tutor who has taught alongside Brian Finnegan and Niall Keegan. |
